Cleaning device



Sept. 23 1924. 1,509,381

G. G. TOWNSEND CLEANING DEVICE Filed March 31 1922 2 Shasta-Sheet l Y erSept. 23 1924. 1,509,381

. G.-G. TOWNSEND CLEANING' DEVICE Filed March 5l 1 1923 2 ShBGtB-sheeygvl/Enron G. Mase/zd,

Patented Sept. 23,

GEORGE Gr. TOXVNSENB, OF FROSTB'SLTRG, MARYLAND.

CLEANING- DEVICE.

Application led March 31, 1922. Serial No. 548,356.

To all 'LU/wm t may concern.

Be it known that l, @nomen Gr. TownsErin1 a resident of Frostburg, inthe county of Allegany and State of lidaryland, have invented certainnew and useful improvements in Cleaning Devices, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to cleaning devices especially adapted forcleaning the interior of bath tubs and for cleaning flat surfaces suchas windows, walls and ceilings.

Briefly stated an important object of this invention is to provide acleaning device having novel means whereby the brush or cleaning headmay partake of pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to conform tothe surface being cleaned.

Further the invention aims to provide a cleaning device having novelmeans whereby the cleaning element may be rotated about the longitudinalairis of the handle while the handle remains relatively stationary.

Another object is to provide a cleaning device having a high degree ofstability due to the fact that the handle connected to the head at apoint below the center of gravity whereby7 the cleaning head will nottilt when pressure is applied to the same.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a cleaning device havingsimple means whereby a cleaning' element such as a rag, a brush, arubber scraping device or the like may be readily and convenientlyconnected to the cleaning head.,

A further object is to provide a cleaning device which may be quicklyassembled, is durable in use and is cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,`

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the improved cleaningdevice in use.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of theinvention, the handle being shown partly in elevation.

Figure 8 is ak fragmentary perspective of a further modification of theinvention, parts being shown in section.

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of a modification ofthe invention,the handle being shown partly in section.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective of a slightly modified forni ofthe invention, parts being shown in section.

ln the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 generally designatesa semi-bulbous shaped body having its rear portion formed with acontinuous groove 8 into which the edge portion of a cleaning element 7is extended. A tying or retaining element 8 in the nature of a piece ofstring or wire is passed about the edge portion of the cleaning elementand serves to secure the edge portion of the cleaning element in thegroove 6 so that the displacement or loss of the cleaning elementispositively prevented. It will be observed that the cleaning element 7 isextended over the entire exterior surface of the head 5 and therebyprevents the body from scratching or marring the tub 10 into which it iseX- tended. llhile the invention is shown in connection with a bath tub10 it is obvious that the device may be used for any purpose such ascleaning large or small receptacles of various natures.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the bottom or lower wall of the semi-bulbonsbody or head is provided with a U-shaped attaching member 12 having albight portion secured flatly in contact with the bottom wall of the headby means of fastening devices 18 in the nature of rivets7 screws or thelike. The Ulshaped body 12 is provided with spaced parallel aperturedears '14 which receive a pivot bolt 18. The pivot bolt 16 is extendedthrough the aligned branches of a coupling member 18 and serves as ameans for rotatably connecting the coupling member to the U-shapedattaching member 12.

The coupling member 18 is of T-shaped formation and is provided with abranch 20 interiorly screw threaded for the reception of a nipple orsleeve 21. The sleeve 2l is threaded into the branch 2O and receives afastening element 24 in the nature of a nail, a screw or the like7 thesaid fastening element 24 being driven into the forward end of thehandle 25. The head 27 of the fastening pin 2llcontacts with the lowerend of the sleeve 21 and serves to prevent the handle from beingdisconnected with the sleeve. It will'be observed that the handle 25 isnot necessarily rotated during the rotation of the head 5 as the sleeve21has rotatable connection with the attaching pin 24. This permits thedevice to rotate to coliform to the curvature of the surface to becleaned without in any way turning the handle.

It is thus seen that m the use of the device the head may rock about theaxis of of the pivot bolt 16 so as to flatly contact with the surfacebeing cleaned and the head 5 may rotate about the longitudinal axis ofthe handle 25, to permit the operator to thoroughly clean the surface wihout the necessity of bending or stooping, thus giving in eilect auniversal joint connection between handle and head.'

' ln carrying out the invention, a washer 30 is interposed between theforward end ot the handle and the rear end of the sleeve 9.1 andprevents the sleeve from being driven into the forward end of thehandle. Also one end ot the pivot bolt 16 may be lattened as indicatedat 31 so that its withdrawal is positively prevented.

In manufacture the cleaning head 5 and the other parts of the device maybe made from any desired material and any suitable cleaning ele-ment maybe employed. In tact a number of cleaning elements ot' diilerent typesmay be provided for use in connection with the head 5 as the originalcleaning element may be conveniently detached by simply removing thetying element 8. Any cleansing substance may be used, such as soap incake, liquid or powdered torm.

It will be observed with reference to Fig. 1 that the U-shaped attachingportion 19. is secured to the hollow head 5 at a point spacedsubstantiallya 'below the center ot gravityv so as to insure thestability ot the device. That is to say in the use of the device thehead is not likely to turn about the axis of the pivot bolt 16 to anextent suflicient to cause the head to turn over. It will be seen thatpressure on the head will `cause the cleaning element to bear flatly inContact with the inner side of the tub or other receptacle being cleanedand tipping of the head is positively prevented.

In the form of the invention illustrated vin Fig. 2 the cleaning head isdesignated by the numeral 40 and is provided with a base plate 41 towhich the U-shaped attaching member 42 is connected by means of a pivotelement 43. The pivot element 43 permits the U-shaped attaching member42 to partake ot lpivotal movement. with relation to the cleanlng head40 whereby to permit the head to rotate with relation to the handle 44.

' The head 40 is provided with a cleaning element 45 of any desired typeand of any 'desired shape. The head 4() is also of any desired shape andmay be formed from any lelisired material such as wood, steel or the ie.

.The U-shaped attaching member 42 has its Vlznght portion secured flatlyin contact with the base plate 41 by means of a pivot element 43 and theU-shaped member is provided with apertured ears 46 through which n pivotelement 47 is extended. the said pivot element also beinfr extendedthrough the aligned branches el a T-shfiped coupling 4S. Said T-shapedcoupling 48 is provided with a lateral branch 50 to which the spindle 51is connected. lt will be seen, that the spindle 51 is extended into theforward end of' the handle 44 and serves as a convenient means forconnecting the head to the handle, the turning movement in this form ofthe device taking place about the pivot 43 which is below the pivot 47.This gives a better movement for llat surfaces than the arrange-mentshown in Figure 1.

In this form of the invention also the head may partake otl rotationwith relation to the handle and may partake of a rocking motion withrelation to the handle so that the cleaning element may readily adjustitself to any irregularity on the surface being cleaned.

However, in the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 theU-sliaped meinber to which the T-coupling is connected is mounted on thetop of the head 4() und the width of the head is sufficient to retainthe head flatly in contact with the surface being cleaned.

Figure 3 illustrates a still further modification of the invention andin this ligure the head which may be of any desired construction isindicated by the numeral 14.0. The head 140 is provided with a U-shapedattaching member 141 having upstanding ems 142 to which the laterallyprojectin` arms 144 of a spindle 145 are connecten The terminal portionsof the arms 144 are extended through the ears 142 and are then bentlaterally to provide retaining niemhers 146.

ln carrying out the invention the .spindle 145 is formed `from twopieces of suitably stout wire twisted together to provide the desiredstrength and the forward terminal portions ot the two lengths areextended laterally to provide the arms 144. rllhe rear portions of thelengths of wire from which the spindle is formed are extended laterallyto provide anchoring members 148 which rotatably contact with the rearof a tubular member 150 through which the spindle is extended. lncarrying out the invent-ion the spindle 145 is rotatably ex tendedthrough the tubular member 150 and the laterallyv directed terminalportions 148 ot the several lengths of wire form n means tor preventingthe accidental withdrawal of the spindle. A disk 152 may be soldered orotherwise secured on the forward portion of the spindle and rotatablycontacts with the forward end otA the handle 154.

ln the operation of this form of the invention the handle has rotatableconnection with the spindle so that the head may turn as the occasionrequires. Furthermore, the head may revolve about a horizontal axissince the laterally projecting arms 144 are rotatably connected to theears 142.

Figure 4 illustrates a further modification et the invention wherein thespindle 66 is screwed fast into a socket 6l in the forward portion oit'the handle 62. A washer or disk 63 is soldered or otherwise secured onthe intermediate portion of the spindle 60. ln carrying out this form ofthe invention several pieces of stout wire are twisted together and theforward terminal portions ot the same are extended laterally to providearms 64 which are rotatably connected to the ears 65 of a U- shapedattaching member 66.

The U-shaped attaching member has its bight portion connected to anattaching plate 68 through the medium of a pivot pin 69 so that theU-shaped member 66 may rotate about the head 70 to which the plate 68 isconnected.

In carrying out the forms of the device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4,the twisted pieces of wire may be soldered together `for the purpose ofstrengthening the construe tion and these forms of the invention may bemanufactured at an extremely low cost.

ln the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 the U-shapedattaching member is designated by the numeral 8O and is provided withupstanding apertured ears 8l through which the end portions of a pivotbar or rod 62 are rotatably extended. The intermediate portion of thispivot rod S2 is enlarged and is apertured to rotatably receive a spindle84 of any desired construetion and which is driven into the 'forward endot the handle 86. As the spindle 84 rotatably connected to thetransversely extending pivot rod 82 the handle 86 may be freely rotatedand the rod 82 may partake of movement about a horizontal axissemi-bulbous formation and the U-shaped attaching member is secured tothe same at a point substantially below the center ot ngravity so thatthe device may be expeditiously used and prevented from accidentaltipping. In this connection it will be noted that the head 90 is of thesame formation as the heads 5 and 140.

rl'he foregoing vdescription illustrates that the inventive ideainvolved in this application is capable of a variety oit mechanicalexpressions and it is therefore to be under stood that the forms of theinvention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferredexamples of the same and that such minor changes in the arrangement andconstruction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit ofthe invention and the scope ot what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is zl. A cleaningdevice comprising a U- shaped attaching member having ears, a pivot rodhaving its ends rotatably con nected to said ears, a spindle rotatablyextended through the intermediate portion of said rod, and a handleconnected to said spindle.

2. A cleaning device tor use in bath tubs and the like comprising ahead, an attaching member secured to the head and provided with a pairoi' ears, a pivot rod having its ends rotatably connected to said ears,a spindle rotatably extended through the intermediate portion ot saidrod. and a handle connected to said spindle, the connection between theattaching member, the rod and the spindle providing a universalconnection between the handle and the head.

GEORGE G. TOWNSEND.

provided between the handle and the clean-

